Backpacking Lunch

Me and a few friends are about to go on a 4 day/3 night backpack across Gunsight Pass in Glacier NP.

I was personally wondering about what some of you do for lunch? I typically have jerkey and bars during small breaks on the trail, but want to switch it up during lunch. We will do the freeze dried meals for dinner. Do some of you have the freeze dried meals twice per day? Carrying sandwiches seems to be a huge pain.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

Typically start lunch a couple of hours after breakfast, and end it a couple of hours before dinner. Jerky or summer sausage, cheese, gorp, snack bars, that sort of thing. Don't do freeze dried; I dehydrate my own stuff, or use Lipton/Knorr sides with pouched chicken, tuna or salmon. Used to be able to get shrimp and crab, but can't find those anymore.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

I actually do stop for lunch, 20 -30 minutes, usually where I can get water. A lot of times on shorter trips I'll take packets of the chicken salad or flavored tuna, and a sleeve of Ritz crackers. I have a container to keep the crackers from getting crushed. I find a short break with a small lunch gives me a boost of energy.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

Salami holds up well backpacking and so do certain kinds of cheeses. I also like the tuna packets with crackers like @SILHiker, but that can get messy and smelly backpacking. My other go to backpacking snack is almonds mixed with craisins. You can make any kind of nuts/berries combo you like, it is easy and a satisfying lunch. Have fun on your trip!

Re: Backpacking Lunch

Couscous hydrates within 15 minutes. I make a couscous salad with herbs, spices, and home dried garden tomotoes and cucumbers. Add lemon juice and EVOO, and enjoy! Bagels and cream cheese work; the cream cheese keeps for about 3 days buried in my pack. Add sliced cucumber (also great for hydrating the body), for a delicious and simple sandwich.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

Totally agree with all of the other posters, lunch is really just a longer snack time. A time to take off your pack (and boots and socks) and relax for a bit before you head on your way. Jerky and cheeses goes a long way. I enjoy granola bars and other lighter food options. I would not make a dehydrated meal for lunch, it takes quite a bit of time (once you dig it out of your pack and wait for the food to rehydrate). Save your dehydrated meals as a treat at the end of the day and something to look forward to.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

Lunch is a good time reload on protein, fat, and sugar. If you're trying to mix it up, I highly recommend tuna packs followed up with trail mix. For longer sit downs with use of stove, my group made a pasta using a pack of noodles and salami. This definitely recharged everyone for the evening hike we had planned.

Re: Backpacking Lunch

My go-to lunches are flour tortillas with either peanut butter (cups) or cheddar cheese packets. I get the tortillas and peanut butter cups at the grocery store and order the cheese packets from amazon...no fuss, no muss! And you can also get jalapenos cheese packets on amazon. Taste variety is fantastic!